Heres, Delhi all bright and painted in Rainbow color.

On 24th November 2013, Delhi celebrated its Sixth Queer Pride, in the heart of the city. The parade started from Barakhamba Road at Connaught Place and concluded at Jantar Mantar. The city surely showed it’s Queer side, with a difference, and the participation shown by people was overwhelming. Finally, I was fortunate enough to attend it this year, and surely regretted to miss it in the past. A day, full of Madness, the beat of the Dhol’s, the hundreds feet tapping like a Rhyme, and a Roar of Unity. That’s what it’s all about. 

I always thought of being a part of a carnival, anywhere in the world, however, this was no less. The dilliwala’s surely do know to work hard, and party harder. More then that, they know the art of protesting and to fight for their rights, with its own elegance. The parade was not just a glamour quotient, but had a very serious cause to it too. They all walked together “to strongly protest this exclusion, just as they affirm and demand again, the right of all , regardless of their gender and sexual identity, to both freedom and safety.”

The walk was to celebrate the spirit of queer people who continue to fight for their rights and slowly expand, safe and open spaces in our cities. They look to the Supreme Court to listen to the voice of the parade – of the stories of people accepting themselves and each other, building a more inclusive and diverse society.

This is what the organisers has to say about the event:

“The Delhi Queer Pride parade turns six this year. It remains an entirely community organised and funded event put together by volunteers. Like in the years before it, the pride brings together members and supporters of the queer community to celebrate their diversity and stand in solidity with those who face persecution and violence because of their gender or sexual identity. It welcomes the participation of all, regardless of age, creed, gender, gender identification, HIV status, nation or origin, physical, mental or development ability, race, religion or sexual origin.

This year, two important events frame the Pride march. Nearly, a year has passed since the rape of a young woman on a city bus in Delhi. Relentless protests led to new laws on sexual violence. Yet despite the widely endorsed recommendation of the Justice Verma Committee, the victim of Sexual assault and rape remains a “woman” rather than “person”. Transgender, Hijra and Intersex people as well as men still remain without the protection of the law and sexual violence against them goes unrecognised.”

“In 2009, the Delhi High Court affirmed what it saw happening outside its doors – the slow and steady advancement of rights and dignity for queer people in India. Many victories for queer rights have come since then even as many challenges remain. Few weeks ago, FIRs were registered against 14 men under Sec 377 in Hassan, Karnataka. Even today, many queer people – especially those with different gender identities or expression – routinely face harassment and violence. The parade marks both these victories as well as the continuing challenges.”

A fascinating thing that caught my eye, was the participation by the Students and Teacher of Tagore International School, who were there in support, with their LGBTQI Movement “Breaking Barriers”. It is indeed beautiful, how, the students are getting well educated and showing equal participation with high spirits.

When it comes to photography, the city is full of enthusiastic new age passionate and amateur photographers, like me, who again took  participation with a zeal. And surely, who wouldn’t love to capture all the happy faces, surrounding the city, accumulated together.

The whole event embarked and accomplished with a high. People walk in with friends, acquaintance, or even alone and walked out with lots of memories and more friends and acquaintances. I would surely look forwards for the event next year, to capture some more happy faces that remains hidden in the periodic chaos of life.

For more pictures:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.711668788845620.1073741833.470820806263754&type=1